Grammar quiz again – fun with this ridiculous language, answers

And welcome back to our Grammar Quiz … following on from our earlier quiz this year with the questions here and the answers here. As I said last week, this one is slightly different in format and is based on an exercise we do in one of my workshops.

So now, the answers to the quiz put up last week. I deliberately have avoided using any grammar jargon so anyone can get why some are wrong and some are right, without being flummoxed with pompous verbiage…

Which of the following sentences use correct grammar?

1. I would have gone in his place, but he insisted that he was well enough for workCorrect.

2. The report that I’ve wrote should be ready for our meeting tomorrow.
Wrong. “Wrote” is the past tense of the verb “to write,” but here we need the past participle, which is “written.”

3. We really shouldn’t of been so argumentative with that new supplier.
Wrong. It’s “shouldn’t have.”

4. Me and my manager drove to Bristol to see the HR team at Head Office.
Wrong. Take “my manager” out and you have “me drove to Bristol.” Should be “My manager and I”

5. It looks like it’s down to you and I to sort out this delivery problem.
Wrong. Once again, take the other person out – “looks like it’s down to I”…?? It’s “down to you and me.”

Which of the following sentences use correct spelling?

This section contains two arguable ones … see if you can pick them out!

7. He will be on leave next week, apparantly.
Wrong: it’s “apparently.”

8. Here are some appropriate perimeters to use to judge the results.Arguable: common usage would dictate “parameters,” but realistically that’s a mathematical term which has been mis-used for quite a few years now. “Perimeters” is more appropriate, because its meaning is similar to that of “boundaries.” However most people use “parameters” in this context – and it’s probably wrong!

9. Her car is in the workshop today to have its breaks done.
Wrong: it’s “brakes” in this context.

10. The CEO paid Maureen quite a nice compliment about her work today.Correct. “Complement” means to complete; “compliment” means to say something nice.

11. Irregardless of how late we need to stay on, we must complete this report today.Arguable: the correct term should be “regardless,” but many people now feel that “irregardless” is OK, despite it being a prime example of tautology. Hmmmm.

12. Wow! Did you see that flash of lightening?
Wrong. It’s “lightning.”

Which of the following sentences use correct punctuation?

This section contains one arguable one, depending on whether you use British or American English. Clue … the word “Oxford…”

13. It’s only a matter of time before someone collides with the new fencing.Correct.

14. Womens’ and mens’ clothing are on the second floor.
Wrong. “Women” and “men” are already plural words, so when you want to add a possessive the apostrophe goes before the “s” …

15. We need to submit those figures to the Board in 3 day’s time.
Wrong. It’s in 3 days’ time.

16. The ladies’ room is just down the corridor to your right.Correct. “Ladies” is the derivative of a singular word so you need to stick the apostrophe at the end.

17. We need to buy more staples, printer cartridges and copier paper.Arguable. When writing a list of three items, British Grammar Nazis say no comma is required after the penultimate item. However in the USA, the “Oxford comma” is often used after the penultimate item. I have no opinion either way; write it as you want!

18. He looks very ill, we need to phone his wife and ask her to take him home.
Wrong. You need a bit more of a stopper after “ill.” A semi colon or even a colon is better, given that both clauses stand up on their own.

Which of the following sentences use correct syntax?

19. Speaking as a professional, I would suggest you consider a lawsuit.Correct.

20. After giving a rousing speech, the entire audience applauded the CEO.
Wrong. The entire audience did not give the rousing speech.

21. Dressed in a designer outfit with stunning jewellery, Mr Spencer was pleased to escort her to lunch.
Wrong. In this context Mr Spencer was unlikely to be dressed in a designer outfit accompanied by stunning jewellery.

22. Even though it was raining, he managed to walk between the buildings and stay dry.Correct.

23. The Chairman was accompanied by the Vice-Chairman holding the trophies and the CEO.
Wrong. Although the Vice-Chairman may have been able to carry the trophies it’s unlikely he was able to carry the CEO at the same time.

24. HR Director Gemma Stanford towered over President John Waterford in very high heels.
Wrong. It’s unlikely that Mr Waterford would wear very high heels on this occasion.

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